H.E Museveni, represented by Vice President Jessica Alupo, today concluded a two-day East African Procurement Forum that began on March 23, 2023, at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.The Forum was held under the theme: “Open Contracting as a Vehicle for Sustainable Development.”
According to the President, Open Contracting is a game changer for increasing transparency in public procurement.
“We want to ensure that the public has access to information about all government projects and contracts,” he said.
Senior Procurement, Purchasing, Sourcing, and Supply Chain Executives from the public sector, the private sector, professional organizations, development partners, and civil organizations from Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and the DRC were among the people who went to the Forum.
The delegates came together to share knowledge and consolidate efforts towards improving public procurement practices and service delivery in the Region. The forum also provided them with the ability to explore opportunities that will encourage trade and innovation in the East African Community.
In his statement, the President stated that the forum has advanced the East African Community’s agenda.
“The forum has advanced the agenda of integration of the East African Community since the EAC has become stronger and bigger with seven partner states, a population of more than 280 million people, and a combined GDP of more than US$ 305 billion. This event is a great opportunity to showcase the potential of the region considering that our countries spend over US$100 billion every year through public procurement,” he said.
He also stated that Uganda has shifted its emphasis from traditional public procurement to Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) as one of the key Public Sector Management Reform Initiatives to transform government service delivery. According to the president, 36 government agencies are currently fully utilizing the system. The country expects a full rollout by 2025.
He told the delegates that local content promotion is part of the NRM manifesto to foster growth of the domestic industry, increase production, and support local entrepreneurs.
In 2018, Uganda’s Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority issued guidelines to promote local content in public procurement. A guideline on reservation schemes to promote registered associations owned by women, youths, and persons with disabilities is being finalized.
The President also urged the visiting delegates to extend their stay in Uganda by one day so that they could take advantage of the country’s many tourist sites.